The World’s Longest

Study of Happiness
85 years.

That's how long The Harvard Study of

Adult Development has been running.

Directed by Robert Waldinger.

The study has helped provide priceless

insights into human happiness:
#1. The key to a happy life
is quality relationships

Not wealth, not fame.

—Relationships.

It's not the only thing that matters, but

time and time again this proved to be
the biggest factor.
#2. Loneliness is deadly
Loneliness leads to chronic stress.

This can have a similar effect on our health

as smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day.
#3 Being introverted is
not a disadvantage

For relationships:

Quality > Quantity

The study shows that even 1 or 2 close

connections is sufficient.

Introversion can even be an ADVANTAGE.

As introverts may not require as many

connections to feel fulfilled.
#4. Social media can be a
double-edged sword

Connection = more happiness

Comparison = less happiness

Using social media to make genuine

connections with others can create
fulfillment in your life.

If you're using it to doomscroll—not so much.

#5. Purpose > Payment

Purpose is powerful.

People who have purpose in their work,

experience greater life satisfaction
and happiness.

—Whether paid or unpaid.

If your career doesn't provide these

feelings—try volunteering for a cause
you're passionate about.
#6. Taking care of your
health is crucial

"A healthy man wants a thousand things

— a sick man wants only one."

Unsurprisingly, the people in good health

reported much higher levels of life-satisfaction.
#7. It’s never too late to
improve your happiness
50s, 60s, 70s.

It doesn't matter.

Many individuals reported overhauling

their happiness late in life after taking
conscious action to improve it.

Think it's too late to be happy?

—Think again.
But what about money?
Yes, money impacts our happiness.

But only up to a point.

Better to think of money as a tool that

gives us security and a sense of control
over our lives, rather than a solution to
all of our problems.